Tag: Middle East Records

MOROCCO: Nouhaila Benzina is the First Player to Wear a Hijab at the Women’s World Cup. Why were they once banned by FIFA?

When Nouhaila Benzina stepped onto the field for Morocco’s first match of the Women’s World Cup against Germany, she made history.

She became the first player to wear the Islamic headscarf at the senior-level Women’s World Cup. 

Had Morocco qualified for the Women’s World Cup a decade ago, a player who wanted to wear the hijab during a game might have been forced to choose between faith and football.

That was until 2014, when head coverings were officially authorised by FIFA.

Who is Nouhaila Benzina? 

She’s a 25-year-old defender on Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses.

In recent weeks, Benzina shared social media posts from others about the history-making nature of her World Cup appearance.

“Lots of work was done over many years, and thank God it had a positive result,” Benzina told Al Jazeera.

“We hope to play at a high level and honour Moroccans.”

‘That could be me’

Morocco are one of eight teams making their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, alongside Haiti, The Republic of Ireland, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia. 

“We are honoured to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women’s World Cup,” Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak said on Sunday.

“Girls will look at Benzina (and think) ‘That could be me,’” said Assmaah Helal, a co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network said of the hijab.

“Also the policymakers, the decision-makers, the administrators will say, ‘We need to do more in our country to create these accepting and open and inclusive spaces for women and girls to participate in the game.’”

Why did FIFA ban the hijab before? 

FIFA cited “health and safety” concerns, some related to possible choking, with regulations forbidding “equipment that is dangerous to himself or another player.”

An incident in 2007 instigated the official ban.

Canadian girl Asmahan Mansour — who was 11 years old at the time — attempted to wear a headscarf at a tournament but the referee said it wasn’t permitted. 

She was told she could remove it and play, but her hijab would not be permitted on the pitch.

When the issue reached FIFA, the sport’s global governing body banned head coverings in competitions it sanctioned, except for coverings that exposed the neck.

Initially, FIFA cited “religious symbolism” as a reason for not permitting head coverings. 

But considering the multitude of tattoos, signing of the cross and goal celebrations by footballers, it became too difficult to enforce.

Helal was among the social activists, Muslim athletes, and government and soccer officials who worked to overturn the ban.

Speaking on the 2007 ban, Helal said it “sent a strong message to Muslim women, particularly those who wear hijabs, (that) we don’t belong.”

A two-year trial was granted 

In 2012, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) allowed players to wear head coverings at international competitions over a two-year period following a request from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). 

No senior-level World Cups, men’s or women’s, were scheduled during the trial period.

Ban on head coverings lifted in 2014 

In March 2014, FIFA lifted its ban on head coverings.

The decision was announced at a meeting of International Football Association Board in Zurich.

FIFA’s then secretary general Jérôme Valcke said hijabs and turbans were permitted on the field. 

“It was decided that female players can cover their heads to play,” he said. 

“Male players can play with head covers too. 

“It will be a basic head cover and the colour should be the same as the team jersey.”

Helal said that since the ban was lifted, she has seen an increase in Muslim girls and women playing soccer, pursuing coaching pathways and leading their own football clubs.

“I think it’s key to understand that the hijab is an essential part of a Muslim woman, should she choose to wear it,” Helal said.

“It’s actually part of our identities.”

A Melbourne resident who attended Morocco’s public practice session last week, Maryan Hagi-Hashi, said she is supporting the Atlas Lionesses alongside tournament co-host Australia.

She appreciates the representation that the Moroccan team and Benzina provide, she said.

“There’s a mixture of (Muslim) women that wear hijab and don’t wear a hijab,” Hagi-Hashi said.

“I think the world has realised there is diversity.”

Two years after the ban was lifted, the under-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan marked the first time Muslim players wore headscarves during an international FIFA event.

ABC with wires

source/content: abc.net.au / ABC News / (headline edited)

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pix: instagram.com/benzinanouhaila

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MOROCCO

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE’s Minister for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi Elected as Chair of WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13)

The General Council of the WTO has elected Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, as Chair of the World Trade Organisation’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

The Ministerial Conference, attended by leading representatives from the 164 countries and customs blocs that make up the WTO, will take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.

MC13 comes at a critical time for world trade, and the conference will build on the outcomes of MC12, review the performance of the multilateral trading system, make decisions on the future work of the WTO, and set up the roadmap for MC14.

“This is a pivotal moment for world trade,” commented Al Zeyoudi. “As a Ministerial Conference, we have to tackle pressing issues and challenges, consider all the forces shaping the future of trade and come up with clear solutions, and challenge ourselves to take actionable decisions that move the needle on making trade more efficient, inclusive and sustainable.

“At the heart of all of this is the need to modernise trade and embed technology across supply chains, and we look forward to working closely with all the members of the WTO to make real progress at MC13. Our goal must be driving forward momentum for more change at the conference in Abu Dhabi next year, but also in the years to come, and I have the utmost confidence in our collective ability to make this happen.”

The announcement was made during the WTO General Council in Geneva, Switzerland, where he met with the WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

During their meeting they discussed the preparations for MC13, in addition to the landmark inclusion of trade as a thematic day at COP28, which is set to take place in Dubai later this year.

Dr. Thani delivered his first address as Chair at the General Council, where he stressed the importance of building resilient trade frameworks to tackle today’s challenging landscape.

In his address, he called for focused and decisive deliberations amongst WTO members ahead of MC13, and commented, “Trade policy extends far beyond the scope of trade itself; it is about shaping our common future. It is our collective responsibility to contribute to a predictable, rules-based, and open trade and investment environment that creates prosperity for all – and this is precisely why the success of MC13 is so imperative.”

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

JORDANIAN-AMERICAN: Farah Abu Adeela Crowned Miss Arab USA in Arizona Beauty Pageant

US Jordanian contestant Farah Abu Adeela from the state of Illinois was crowned Miss Arab USA at the beauty pageant’s finale in Arizona over the weekend.

The new Miss Arab USA, who is a model, takes over from 2022’s winner, Moroccan American Marwa Lahlou.

The annual pageant, which returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held in Arizona this year. Produced by The Arab American Organization (AAO), the pageant is “founded on the basis of advancing the cause of young ladies of Arab descent,” according to its website.

The swimsuit category does not feature in the pageant, with the stated aim of organizers being to “select an honorable Arab young lady to represent our culture in the US and worldwide for one year.”

This year’s ceremony featured a performance by dance troupe Zeffa of Phoenix.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Farah Abu Adeela nabbed the coveted tiara at the 2023 Miss Arab USA pageant. (Instagram)

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AMERICAN / JORDANIAN

QATAR Investment Authority Invests $200mn; Buys Stake in NBA, WNBA & NHL

A report by the Financial Times  has said that the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has taken a stake in the owner of Washington’s professional basketball and hockey teams in US sport.

As per the report, the fund is paying $200mn for a 5% stake in Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) in a deal that values the owner of the National Basketball Association’s Washington Wizards, the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Washington Mystics and the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals at $4.05bn.

The report also mentions that the investment from QIA, at an estimated $450bn in assets, comes less than a year after the NBA amended its bylaws to allow sovereign wealth funds to invest in clubs.

The QIA said, “As one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the country, MSE’s platform provides unique opportunities and scalability for growth and partnerships”.

As per the report, people familiar with the Monumental deal said that the QIA was taking a stake in the group as a financial transaction to gain exposure to a company with a diverse range of assets. As per reports, QIA will not gain board representation as part of the transaction.

Source: Financial Times

Cover image credit: www.sportingnews.com

source/content: iloveqatar.net (headline edited)

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QATAR

ALGERIA: ’15th Arab Sports Games 2023′ at Mohamed-Boudiaf Olympic Complex, Algiers with Participation of 22 Arab countries, July 05-15.

PM chairs opening ceremony of 15th Arab Sports Games.

On behalf of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Prime Minister, Aimene Benabderrahmane chaired the opening of the 15th Arab Sports Games organized by Algeria from on 5-15 July at Mohamed-Boudiaf Olympic Complex in Algiers, with the participation of nearly 2,000 athletes representing 22 Arab countries.

The opening ceremony of the 15th Arab Sports Games hosted by Algeria (July 5-15) started Wednesday in the Mohamed Boudiaf Olympic Complex in Algiers, in the presence of Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane, members of government and guests from various countries and organizations.

source/content: aps.dz (headline edited)

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ALGERIA

MAURITANIA: Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick : Role Model for Africa’s Women

Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick has been the mayor of a district of the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott for 14 years. She is living proof that women can make it to the top even in conservative Muslim societies. Elisa Rheinheimer introduces a courageous Mauritanian.

Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick has a warm, maternal demeanour and a firm handshake. Keen eyes sparkle behind her glasses. A petite woman in a traditional flowing robe and a blue headscarf decorated with pink flowers, she doesn’t look like a politician in charge of a 60,000-strong community – at least not to Western eyes.

She is mayor of a district of the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott – and has been for 14 years. That makes her not only a pioneer in her own country, but also a role model for many African women. “I never actually wanted to go into politics,” she says with a laugh, “but I have a very social vein and it was a kind of calling. I wanted to change things in my city for the better.”

Now 57, she originally studied computer science in Belgium. It was during her time there that her eyes were opened to women’s opportunities. Years later, in 2001, she ran for mayor in a district in her home city of Nouakchott – and won at the first attempt. During her first period in office, she was still the only woman mayor in the country. “216 men – and me,” she says, her voice betraying well-earned pride.

Opening the door to politics for other women

In Tevragh-Zeina, the district of the capital of Nouakchott for which she is responsible, everyone knows her. She has achieved a great deal there, improving school education – particularly for girls – reforming the administration, reorganising refuse disposal and investing in infrastructure. Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick wanted to build car parks, playgrounds and football pitches – and she did.

It sounds so easy when she talks about it now, but it certainly wasn’t quite that simple: “To begin with, I found the responsibility and the expectations people placed on my shoulders a burden,” she says. “After all, I had to be successful so as to open the door for other women and enable them to get into politics.”

She has had some success in this respect. There are now three other women mayors in Mauritania. She herself has never felt uncomfortable in her country’s male-dominated political arena. “Women have a very good status in our society,” she explains, “that made it easier for me.”

Development and religion hand in hand

And religion? What role does faith play in her life? Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick looks rather perplexed, cocking her head in surprise as if she considers the question superfluous. “A very important one,” she says after a pause, “I am a Muslim.”

Development and religion, she says, are not mutually exclusive but belong together. She rejects the idea that Islam oppresses women and makes it hard for them to have a career of their own. In the Mauritanian religious tradition, she says, Islam virtually demands that women play an active role in society.

A mother of three grown children, Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick is not only a local politician but also president of the Network for Locally Elected Women of Africa. She is invited to conferences and panel discussions all over the world, flying from one continent to the next. “Being up in the air is perfectly normal for me,” she says. Sometimes 24 hours are not enough to get everything done that she wants to do.

Raising awareness of environmental issues in Mauritania

One reason for that lack of time is that she also feels responsible for environmental protection and catastrophe management in her country. Mauritania has to deal with water shortages, sandstorms and desertification.

She organises workshops in schools, for instance, to raise awareness of environmental issues among children and young people. She has launched campaigns for the protection of dunes, planted date palms in the city with women’s groups, and called on local people to clean up the country’s beaches.

Her calm, relaxed demeanour is certainly part of her recipe for success. Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick was recently re-elected for her third term in office, and has enough plans and projects in mind for the next 20 years. Mauritania is at No. 158 on the Human Development Index, close to the bottom of the ranking.

This hardworking mayor has a lot of work ahead of her. She currently has more than 3,000 fans on Facebook; in real life, there are no doubt many more than that.

source/content: en.qantara.de / Elisa Rheinheimer

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MAURITANIA

EGYPTIAN-SCOTTISH Ayoub Sisters to Perform at King Charles’ Coronation in Edinburgh

Egyptian-Scottish classical duo the Ayoub Sisters are scheduled to perform at King Charles III’s coronation in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

“We are delighted to share that we have been invited by HM King Charles III to perform at his coronation in Edinburgh next week,” wrote the Ayoub Sisters on Facebook on Saturday.

“The ceremony is part of Royal Week, with the King and Queen undertaking several engagements in Scotland, and will be broadcast live on BBC One. Tune in on Wednesday 5th July at 1:30pm to watch the celebration unfold,” they added.

The Ayoub Sisters have taken the international music scene by storm since their debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2016. Laura Ayoub plays the violin – performing on an 1810 J. Gagliano – and Sarah Ayoub masters the cello. Both play the piano. 

The internationally renowned duo were discovered by producer Mark Ronson.

Their young, albeit sparkling, career has led them to sign a contract with Decca Records, one of the UK’s biggest record labels playing at the BRITS and the BAFTAs. Their album topped the Official Classical Artist Albums Chart.

The duo explore many musical genres, starting from classical music to Scottish traditional repertoire, topping it with captivating arrangements of pop, funk, and world music.

Their virtuosity and creativity have taken them to many prestigious halls in the UK (the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, London Palladium) and the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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SCOTLAND / EGYPT

U.A.E: Abu Dhabi schoolgirl ‘Amna Al Mansouri’ Crowned ‘UAE Arab Reading Challenge’ Champion

Competition also had a new category this year for disabled pupils.

An Abu Dhabi pupil was crowned the winner of the UAE Arab Reading Challenge in Dubai on Friday.

Emirati schoolgirl Amna Al Mansouri, who read 128 books during the academic year, took top spot ahead of more than 500,000 pupils.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, praised those who took part.

“Today, the UAE celebrated 514,000 students from state schools who participated in the Arab Reading Challenge – whose Arab and international participation reached 24.8 million students,” he said on Twitter.

“I congratulate Amna Mohammed Al Mansouri, and her family, for coming in first place. Amna read 128 books during the academic year.

“Two years ago, Amna lost the ability to walk, but that did not stop her. She soldiered ahead and sailed across the vast ocean of knowledge and literature. The challenge was the beginning of a life-changing experience.

“Today, Amna can walk once again, she has won the Reading Challenge and has authored two stories.

“She will represent the country in a few days at the International Physics Olympiad in Tokyo.”

Amna took the top prize ahead of Mohammed Al Hammadi and Iman Daoud.

The competition had a new category this year for disabled pupils. Emirati pupil, Ghareeb Al Yamahi, won first place, with Ghaya Zainallah coming in second place.

“I also congratulate the student Gharib Al Yamahi who won first place in the reading challenge in the category of people of determination,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“Gharib is blind in sight but he is not a stranger in the path of achievement.

“Gharib read 130 books during the academic year in Braille. He is a writer of articles, a speaker and an inspiration to all of us. When a blind person reads 130 books, sighted people should review themselves.

“All the best to Gharib who, with his persistence and willpower, represents the saying that ‘nothing is impossible in the UAE’.”

The ceremony was attended by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology.

Largest in the world

In May, Sheikh Mohammed  said the annual Arab Reading Challenge  had become the largest event of its kind in the world.

He said 24.8 million pupils from 46 countries had taken part in this year’s competition.

It was launched in 2015 to encourage a million young people to read at least 50 books in a year.

The challenge usually starts at the beginning of the academic year, around September, and continues until the end of the academic year.

The Arab Reading champion is selected based on the pupil’s ability to articulate general knowledge, critical thinking and communication skills, plus the diversity of books they have selected.

A Syrian schoolgirl who survived a deadly missile attack during the civil war in her country was crowned the Arab Reading Challenge Champion in November.

Sham Al Bakour, who was seven when she was named winner, was only six months old when her family’s car was struck during violence in Aleppo in December 2015.

Her father was killed while she and her mother survived the horrific attack.

She completed a remarkable journey from tragedy to triumph to win words of praise from Sheikh Mohammed.

The young literature lover read 70 books to win the competition.

When asked about what she would do with the Dh1 million ($270,000) prize money, she said she would give it to her mother.

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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The UAE Arab Reading Challenge prize ceremony was held in Dubai.

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ARAB WORLD / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

U.A.E Ranks 7th Globally in Terms of Per Capita National Income

According to the World Bank, the UAE has maintained its place among the list of countries with the highest per capita income based on the Atlas method.

The UAE ranked seventh in the world in terms of per capita national income, according to the latest World Bank data.


The UAE’s per capita income increased by $10,781 from 2021 to $87,729 in July 2022, based on purchasing power parity in current international dollars.


The international dollar is a virtual currency that is used for evaluating the purchasing power of various countries.


It is based on the US dollar, but it has the same purchasing power as each country’s local currency.


According to the World Bank, the UAE has maintained its place among the list of countries with the highest per capita income based on the Atlas method while also using current US dollar prices.


Using the Atlas method, the World Bank breaks down the world’s economies into four income groups: low, lower middle, upper middle and high.


The categorizations are revised annually depending on the previous fiscal year’s per capita income.


The UAE’s per capita national income in current US dollars rose to $48,950 in 2022 from $43,460 in 2021, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 level of $46,210.


The Atlas method, which was developed in its current form in 1989, is used to express gross national income in US dollars.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The UAE ranked seventh in the world in terms of per capita national income, according to the latest World Bank data. (Shutterstock/File Photo)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

MOROCCO: First Arab Nation to Play a Wafcon Final : The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco

The Atlas Lionesses wrote a page in the history of Women’s football as they became the first Arab nation to play a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.

Morocco’s Women National Football (MWNF) team has been making headlines as their popularity has grown since last year’s Wafcon (Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) final, in July 2022.

Hosted by Morocco, the Wafcon tournament marked the rise of the Atlas Lionesses as they became the first Arab nation to play a final for this tournament, when they faced off against South Africa.

As they prepare for this year’s 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, it is worthwhile to look back on the MWNF team’s great accomplishment last year and what it means for the rest of the world.

The Atlas Lionesses’ Eye-Catching Adventure At Wafcon 2022

With Football having been traditionally viewed as a men’s game in the region, the MWNF team captured the hearts and imagination of girls and women from the Arab region as they achieved a milestone at the 2022 Wafcon.

Although South Africa ended up winning the title, the Atlas Lionesses gained recognition for their impressive skills and outstanding performances, securing the 7th rank in Africa and the 72nd place in the FIFA global ranking.

Before reaching the final, the MWNF team had beaten Botswana and Nigeria in two spectacular football matches, allowing them to secure a ticket to participate in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.

Impressing many football personalities, the team’s remarkable performance also saw the rise of a number of star players in the team as Ghizlane Chebbak, Fatima Tagnaout, and Zineb Redouani were listed among the “best eleven” by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). 

In addition to that, Morocco’s captain Chebbak was named the best player of the 2022 Wafcon and received the “Woman of the Tournament” award following the match against South Africa.

Commenting on the Atlas Lionesses’ performance at last year’s Wafcon, MWNF coach Reynald Pedros expressed his eagerness to reach new heights with his team: “We will continue to work. This is just the beginning of a new adventure.”

Recognition by international media

Various local and regional news outlets put the spotlight on the MWNF team’s achievements, acknowledging their contribution to Morocco’s football development, alongside the Atlas Lions’ incredible performance at the last men’s World Cup.

For instance, International football’s governing body FIFA described the year of 2022 as “Morocco’s miracle year of continental and international success” and emphasized the women’s team’s role in paving the way for Moroccan football to become a leading global symbol.

For Africa News, women’s football may be at a turning point as its popularity is growing exponentially, proven by the attendance record of the final Wafcon match which counted around 50,000 supporters at the Prince Moulay-Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The article also acknowledged Morocco as “the first North African country to host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in the 24-year history of the continental competition.”

Earlier this week, the Atlas Lionesses headed to Australia ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as the only representative of the Middle East and North Africa region in this prestigious global tournament.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Morocco women football team

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MOROCCO